Editorial 16 August 2024.
Friday’s newspapers lead with a variety of stories, mostly domestic news. A number of the leads carry the news that the UK economy grew by 0.6% between April and June as it continued its recovery from the recession at the end of last year.
There’s coverage of potential pay rises for GPs following the government paying out to end rail strikes. A-level results, British tanks in Ukraine and Taylor Swift in London are splashed on the front.
Prince Harry and Meghan are pictured on several front pages as they visit Colombia. Other celebrity news also features, including news that five people have been arrested in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry.
The back pages look ahead to the return of the Premier League as the new season is just around the corner.
‘UK economy grew by 0.6%’
The Daily Mail leads on news the UK economy grew by 0.6% in the three months to June. The paper says the figures show Labour’s “doom-laden claims about the Tories’ economic legacy” have been left in “tatters”. The headline reads: “So much for an economic crisis!”. Those in the running to be the new Tory leader have “lined up to slam” the chancellor over tax rises they claim she is planning to introduce in the October Budget, the paper adds.
The Daily Express has a similar tone regarding the news. The paper says “Surely no need for tax hikes with our growing economy.” The shadow chief secretary to the treasury, Laura Trott, has written a comment piece for the paper saying the chancellor has “no excuse” to announce any increases in taxation when she sets out her Budget this autumn.
A handful of papers look at the public sector workers and potential pay rises.
The Daily Telegraph reports that GPs want an 11% increase in funding for surgeries and a leaked letter from the British Medical Association calls the uplift “reasonable.” There is still “a long way to go” in negotiations according to a spokesperson for the union.
In its editorial, the paper warns against giving into unions saying such deals put “public sector workers ahead of taxpayers” and have “disturbed shades of the 1970s.”
But, not surprisingly, the Daily Mirror has a very different take. The paper’s political columnist, Paul Routledge, praises the government for trying to bring about an end to the strikes, saying it is what the public wants.
Other UK domestic stories.
The i newspaper reports on how Britain is preparing for a potential outbreak of mpox. UK Health Security Agency, Dr Meera Chand, tells the paper that the measures include rapid testing and protocols to stop the illness spreading. She says the risk to the population is “currently considered low”.
The Guardian leads on the A-level results in England which show the regional divide. The paper says there was a 6.5% gap in the top grades between London and the South East, and the North.
‘5 charged in connection to Matthew Perry’s death’
The Mirror leads with the woman known as the “Ketamine Queen” who has been charged over Perry’s death. The paper says two doctors and the actor’s personal assistant have also been charged.
The Express also notes doctors are among the five arrested.
The Sun quotes a US legal official who the five “took advantage of Mr Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves”.
‘Taylor Swift dazzles in London’
Several papers feature images of Taylor Swift on their front pages as the US pop star kicks off the London leg of her Eras tour.
The Express says she is enjoying an “emotional” return to the UK since the alleged terror plot in Austria – which saw three of her shows cancelled.
“Defiant Taylor wows Wembley” says the Mirror, whilst the Sun has pictures of smiling fans and armed police – with the headline: “Shaking off the danger.”
